Revision of economic impact of Recreational fishing industry

T

thataway

Active member
From Soundings Trade only:

"After significant objection from the recreational fishing and boating community, the National Marine Fisheries Service is taking steps to correct a key fisheries economics report that misleadingly indicated that the domestic commercial fishing industry in the United States was significantly larger than the recreational fishing industry.

When imported seafood, which is not regulated or managed by the Fisheries Service, is removed from the equation, the corrected data show that the recreational fishing industry is actually $7.9 billion larger than the commercial fishing industry.

Furthermore, the corrected data show that the domestic commercial fishing industry actually decreased by $2.3 billion in 2012……"

A corrective statement is issued but not a new report. This is very important that the recreational fishing industry be recognized for its economic impact. In the Gulf of Mexico, heavy regulation of recreational catch is impacted by the economics of the various fisheries. I suspect that it is this way nation wide. Both our private fishing and especially the charter services are heavily impacted economically by this regulation. Our fisheries seem to be flourishing, despite "Threats". Our Florida State Red Snapper season in Federal waters was only 9 days for this year. This used to be one of the largest commercial industries in the Gulf. Both divers and fisherman claim that the restrictions are draconian.
 
From what I've read the 9 day season was the result of a suit by the environmental defence fund with the backing of commercial fisherman. If the stocks are so low, why let commercial fisherman continue their same harvest?
 
Here is the article from the National Sport fishing association.

http://asafishing.org/newsroom/news-rel ... formation/

I don't mean for this to be political. But I guess it is--anyway, I have not gone to local meetings with the state and national agencies which are held regularly, but have friends who run charter boats who have. Generally they feel that the commercial industry has better lobbyists and organization--than the recreational and charter fisherman. There seems to be some bias. It may be against all fisheries. Certainly the seas have been depleted of fish stock--and there is no argument about that. The argument is what is sustainable growth in our near coastal fisheries. What percent goes to commercial, and goes to recreational. In our area, most of the folks I know have gotten out of the commercial fisheries because of regulations, as well as costs.
 
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